The upper air cyclonic circulation ‘Hudhud’, currently over western Bay of Bengal, could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Thursday, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted. The storm’s last reported location was 1,050 km east, south-east of Visakhapatnam coast.
According to IMD’s latest predictions, the cyclonic system extends up to 2.1 km above sea level and will continue to move north-westwards, making a landfall between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha on October 12. Wind speeds on Thursday could reach 110 kmph, IMD officials said.
City-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Thursday issued high wave alerts for the region between Dugarajapatnam in Nellore and Baruva in Srikakulam. According to the alert, waves up to 2.6 meters can be expected from 5.30 p.m. on October 9 to 11.30 p.m. on October 10 and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
High wave alerts were also issued for Andaman and Nicobar region. ‘Hudhud’ would develop into a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds touching 140 kmph before landfall, officials warned.
Meanwhile, the city on Wednesday received 0.2 mm rainfall, which IMD officials attributed to local upper air circulation. Officials also predicted rains or thundershowers in the city on Thursday. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 33 degree Celsius.
